Benue state PDP describes suspension of its member from sitting as "disgraceful and impunity".Read their full statement.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has observed with grave concern developments at the Benue State House of Assembly where this morning the leadership of the House purportedly suspended for five months from its sittings the member representing Logo State Constituency, Hon. Kester Kyenge.


The alleged offence of Hon. Kester Kyenge we have learnt was his call that issues of allegations of corruption levied against the leadership of the House be looked into thoroughly by member with a view to ensuring maintenance of the sanity and integrity of the Legislature as a sacred pillar and backbone of democracy in the state.

As a party and the sponsoring platform of the purportedly suspended member of Assembly, we condemn the action in totality as a brazen act of impunity, brigandage and an open display of rule of the mob which is totally unacceptable to, not just the PDP but all Benue people who are desirous of good governance and a deepening of the culture of democracy.

We have gathered on good authority that the process which led to the purported suspension of the Logo State Constituency representative was not only flawed in procedure but also has totally no basis in legality as derives from the Standing Rules of the House.

It is a fact that known thugs of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were given clearance by the ruling government and took up strategic positions in the public gallery from where they posed a menace to the opposition lawmakers at plenary which forced some of the lawmakers to abscond from the sitting while plenary was still going on.

Also provisions of the Standing Rules of the House were not followed as the allegations against the PDP lawmaker were not referred to any committee of the House for further investigation and appropriately recommended action, but rather in a manner suggestive of some presentiment and unwholesome motive, the allegations were entertained and penalty prescribed in haste.

Similarly, the gravity of the suspension is far in excess of that lawfully stipulated according to the Standing Rules of the House, and this coupled with the obvious disregard by the House leadership for the health of democracy in the state makes it imperative that the PDP as the main opposition party rise up to challenge this action.

This we do in the interest of the continued good health of democracy and good governance in Benue State, as vested stakeholders and institution which held and exercised political power for sixteen years and paved the way for the deepening of the democratic culture as highlighted in the transfer of power from us to the presently ruling APC.

It is our resolve to fight this impunity and illegality through all the lawful means available to us, and we hereby call on our teeming supporters to remain calm and continue to maintain faith in the rule of law in our society.

Signed:

Bemgba Iortyom
State Publicity Secretary
PDP, Benue State.